The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
I took some time away
For understanding of what brought us here today
Oh, you'll be the end of me
I'm never happy like we were happy
I'm never sad like we were sad
Oh, you'll be the end of me
You know me all too well
And I can't suppress the memories
You're gone and I can tell
That I've lost more than you'll ever see
Don't say that it's not fair
That you're not the person you wanna be
'Cause oh, you'll be the end of me
I know I wasn't perfect, but I kept trying
Till I forgot why I stayed
Oh, you'll be the end of me
Yeah we lost all meaning
We lost the magic
So good luck to you on your way
Oh, you'll be the end of me
You know me all too well
And I can't suppress the memories
You're gone and I can tell
That I've lost more than you'll ever see
Don't say that it's not fair
That you're not the person you wanna be
'Cause oh, you'll be the end of me
(You'll be the end of me)
I get it, no, I get it
Gave more than I took back, oh well (took back, oh well)
I get it, no, I get it
Can't help those who don't wanna be helped
You know me all too well
And I can't suppress the memories
You're gone and I can tell
That I've lost more than you'll ever see
Don't say that it's not fair
That you're not the person you wanna be
'Cause Oh, you'll be the end of me
You'll be the end of me
For understanding of what brought us here today
Oh, you'll be the end of me
I'm never happy like we were happy
I'm never sad like we were sad
Oh, you'll be the end of me
You know me all too well
And I can't suppress the memories
You're gone and I can tell
That I've lost more than you'll ever see
Don't say that it's not fair
That you're not the person you wanna be
'Cause oh, you'll be the end of me
I know I wasn't perfect, but I kept trying
Till I forgot why I stayed
Oh, you'll be the end of me
Yeah we lost all meaning
We lost the magic
So good luck to you on your way
Oh, you'll be the end of me
You know me all too well
And I can't suppress the memories
You're gone and I can tell
That I've lost more than you'll ever see
Don't say that it's not fair
That you're not the person you wanna be
'Cause oh, you'll be the end of me
(You'll be the end of me)
I get it, no, I get it
Gave more than I took back, oh well (took back, oh well)
I get it, no, I get it
Can't help those who don't wanna be helped
You know me all too well
And I can't suppress the memories
You're gone and I can tell
That I've lost more than you'll ever see
Don't say that it's not fair
That you're not the person you wanna be
'Cause Oh, you'll be the end of me
You'll be the end of me
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In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
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I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
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I can deeply relate to this song and i want to share with you why. Maybe you can understand where i come from.
My Story: I met a girl, it was almost as it is in some of those cosy love storys. I had an 8 years lasting relationship with this girl of whom i thought is the women i was going to spend the rest of my life with. She was beatiful, sexy, caring and overall a lovely person. But, after a couple of years i startet feeling that something is not right the way i feel about our relationship. It was that even though she was an almost perfect women, i had a feeling that because i was with her i couldn´t make use of all the potential i have. Like learning new stuff and doing things that i wanted to do. She was a women you´d marry, have kids with and live a happy life, almost perfect some might say. Well, in the end i broke up with her. I was well aware, that i will never feel the same way of love for a women as i did for her. But i also knew that she would be my end.
And thats where the Interpretations starts:
You'll be the end of me. I'm never happy like we were happy, I'm never sad like we were sad. You'll be the end of me.
[You love someone and had ups and downs, but you also know that, that person will be your end.]
I know I wasn't perfect, But I kept tryin', 'til I forgot why I stayed You'll be the end of me. Ya we lost all meaning, we lost the magic So good luck to you on your way. You'll be the end of me.
[In a relationship first comes affection and affection becomes Love. But as the years pass, so does the "magic" in a relationship. It´s as if you trade that magic with a feeling of coming home. It will feel disturbing when you reflect on yourself and start to become aware of the fact that, this magic is no more than a relic of the past.]
Ya know me all too well, and I can't suppress the memories. You're gone and I can tell that I've lost more than you'll ever see. Don't say that it's not fair, that you're not the person you wanna be. 'Cause you'll be the end of me. (You'll be the end of me!)
[You know what is lost if you distance yourself from that person to save yourself. You know that you will never meet a person which can give you the same feeling as her. You say to her: "Baby, don´t say it´s not fair your not the person you wan´t to be, the person next to ME"]
I get it, no, I get it. Gave more than I took back, oh well. (Took back, oh well) I get it, no, I get it, Can't help those who don't wanna be help
[You become aware of the fact, that there is a reason for that feeling. You can´t help her change, because she can´t change her soul and beeing for you. That would be nothing more than a lie]